Sewaholic Standard

San Francisco Mini-Break, Plus Fabric Shopping at Britex

Last weekend, I escaped the rain and snow and below zero temperatures of Vancouver, to enjoy the sunny skies of San Francisco!

Mr Sewaholic and I made a plan back in December that once we got through the holiday season, we’d treat ourselves to a little getaway. The holiday season can be stressful, so it was so nice to have something to look forward to once the craziness was over.

We rested, we relaxed, we enjoyed the sunset.

We rode the cable cars!

If you visit, get the all-day pass or three-day pass so you can ride all of the transit options easily. It was $24 for three days of unlimited cable car, bus and streetcar access. Otherwise it’s $6 each time to ride the cable car. Here is the page that helped me figure it all out.

I won’t bore you with too many vacation-type photos. Let’s get to the part you want to hear about – the fabric store adventures!

While we were there, I made it a point to visit Britex. It’s a famous fabric store that has four floors of fabric, notions, trims, and buttons. I’d been there once before, years before I started blogging, but I was too overwhelmed by the selection to buy anything! (This time, I vowed not to let that happen to me.)

Four floors of fabric and notions and buttons, oh my!

Have you ever seen that many buttons in one room before?

How about trims and ribbons?

See what I mean about it being overwhelming? There’s just so much to look at.

There’s a floor full of remnants, although not all of them are what we’d consider remnant prices…

Can you see the regular price on that one? $395.00 per yard.

They have every possible notion you could imagine, from leather kilt buckles to peacock feather trim.

What did I buy? Well, the prices are definitely on the high side. So I limited myself to two printed cottons.

One with little eyeglasses:

and one with hot air balloons:

These feel amazing. They might look like simple, regular printed cottons but they feel so soft to the touch. I like the funky prints as a change from florals or stripes. Wouldn’t they make cute Alma Blouses?

To be honest I was only going to get the eyeglass print, but the girl cutting my fabric was like, “Did you see the hot air balloon print? If you like this one, you might like it..” and I couldn’t resist. I’ve been feeling the love for orange these days, so the hint of orange was what sold me.

We only spent a long weekend away, but it was wonderful to come back refreshed and inspired! No internet, no phone, no computer, just a new city to explore and plenty of time to think. Not to mention all that waiting time in the airport to sketch, read, and daydream. I’m constantly on the go in my everyday life, with a thousand things running through my mind. It was a nice change to have a wide open schedule and nothing but time!

(And now, back to work.)

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

About Tasia

I'm Tasia St. Germaine, and I'm the founder of Sewaholic Patterns. I began blogging as a creative outlet back in 2010, and started Sewaholic Patterns shortly after. I write about sewing projects, post tutorials and sewing tips, and share what it's like behind the scenes of a growing sewing pattern company. I love cycling and commute to the studio by bike most days. When I'm not sewing, I enjoy knitting and love making cosy sweaters for our rainy Vancouver weather.

Oh! I really loved the hot air balloon print. Last summer I saw a nice top with exactly the same print at Oasis in the UK. I kept a picture of it since then… I planned to find a stamp with a similar design and stamped some fabric. I didn’t have the time for that yet!
I understand the feeling of overwhelming those place can have. I have been to Mood 3 weeks ago, and it took me like 2 hours before finally making my mind on some fabrics. The employees must have thought I was crazy!

Britex..oh my! I visited once and it is a bit overwhelming both in price and selection but since I live near Chicago, I wasn’t leaving without fabric!!..admittedly I easily spent nearly $800 for three cuts of fabric..a lace, a 4ply silk crepe and an embossed wool including notions. I called it “vacation” since my daughter was on business in SF and I stayed free. I also shop Britex on- line and my sewing skills are couture. I will soon post my Cordova jacket in a beautiful wool from Linton Tweeds…I am lining it now.

Unexpected fabric purchases are a given when visiting a giant store like Britex! I was in San Francisco last August for a long weekend and would have loved to go, but since my guy is not really into sewing, there was no way I could have dragged him along for hours. Maybe they need some kind of guy hangout annex, like a sports bar or (insert luxury brand car name) dealership…

Mine went to a coffee shop with a book, though he did come back before I was finished!

I know what you mean though, mr sewaholic has been to more fabric stores than he probably ever wanted to. I agree, it would be nice if each time there was a fabric store to visit, there was something equally interesting for him to do so we can take our time!

Sounds like a lovely trip to relax and unwind a bit! I know what you mean about being overwhelmed by a huge fabric store. We are the home of both Vogue Fabrics and while they look to be nowhere big as this, they are big enough that my eyes just kind of glaze over!

Thanks for the shout out! I’m glad you had a lovely time in our store. Once you’re done with your project, we’d love to post pictures of your completed work on our blog and our Facebook page. Just email me photos, plus any comments about your creative process that you’d care to share, and I’ll put it up!

I was lucky enough to live in San Fran for a couple of years and frequented Britex quite often:-) Loved it!! No nice fabric stores where I live now – not good :-( Good for my bank account however… and I am finally downsizing my stash out of necessity!. Great that you had fun in SF!

Loved hearing about your great getaway! I had my dad and husband in tow when visiting SF a while back. They found a bar down the street while I browsed the floors of Britex. What a great place. A Mecca really for all sewers to visit if they can. Just gorgeous stuff all over. Can’t wait to return someday.

Hee hee! I am a San Francisco resident who just visited Vancouver for the first time in December. Even though I can drop by Britex whenever I like, I was still excited to wander the aisles of DressSew and one or two other fabric shops I happened along during my visit. In fact, I discovered your blog while websearching when I was in Vancouver.

Glad you enjoyed your stay in San Francisco! I loved my stay in Vancouver – it is a beautiful, vibrant city.

Very cute fabric and I’m so jealous right now! I absolutely love Britex and make it my mission to go there whenever I’m in San Francisco. Sure it’s a bit pricy, but definitely worth it. I look at occasional expensive fabric purchases this way – I’m not spending my money on cigarettes, drugs or alcohol (excessive amounts anyway), so why not splurge on fabric? :)

Longtime reader, first time commenter. Love your blog! You showed amazing restraint in buying only TWO fabrics at Britex! If you make a trip back, I’ll have to recommend some places for Mr. Sewaholic to go while you’re fabric shopping at some of the other fine establishments in S.F.! I live in the S.F. area, and often forget how beautiful it is here. Glad you had a great time!

I’m glad you were able to get away, Tasia. I know what you mean about being overwhelmed with huge fabric stores. We went to New York May 2012 and I went into Mood Fabrics. I was so overwhelmed that I didn’t buy anything. My family was very gracious as they all sat at the entrance and politely waited until I was done. The building Mood Fabrics is in is a very old building. In fact, it still has the old timey elevators with the elevator operator who manually operated it with the big round crank handle like you see on old movies. It was nostalgic to ride in.
Tina

So much of our vacation time gets sucked up seeing my in laws in Manitoba that we’ve done many mini-vacations to explore a city. They always feel too short as we are leaving, but it is lovely to get away. 4 days in Halifax, 3 days in Montreal, 3 days in Picton, 3 days in New York… I have great memories from all those short trips.

And I’ve been overwhelmed in stores before too. I went into so many stores in Montreal and only bought a couple of things. I think that would be the advantage of going on a PR Weekend, there would be other people to follow along with and give me a little time to feel comfortable rather than the single girl walking through the store.

I’ve been privileged to visit this amazing place twice on business trips. I was in immense sticker shock by the prices on the first floor. Luckily, I had the presence of mind to ask if there were reminents. I was directed to the 4th floor where I purchased some wonderful linens and a few other pieces. The second time, I knew just where to go.

Yay San Francisco! I love Britex. I’m about 45 mins away by train. Interesting to see your photo of the trims, I just (minutes ago) purchased some from our JoAnns, would have loved to chose from the Britex collection.

OMG we don’t have anything remotely like that here downunder – that looks like a whole day’s activity, just checking it all out. I am so impressed that you were so disciplined by only buying two fabrics. I really like the hot air baloons.

Your post is timely as my family is about to go to SF next week. I am thrilled to go back to Britex, as we were just there in October 2012. My first “visit” was a no go as I didn’t realize they are closed on Sundays. D’oh. My second attempt was filled with trepidation. Yelp reviews accuse Britex of rude customer service and I was not about to buy any fabric that runs in the triple digits per yard. My surprise was that they were ever so kind! No, you can’t start pulling bolts and opening them up. Yes, Britex will let you know they are there to assist you at any of the four floors. They showed me little buttons and opened remnants for me, so my purchase was small potatoes including the Japanese thread I bought. However, they were sooo nice to me.

This time around I get to go and thank them for giving me the PVF coat that I won in a giveaway! And hopefully my little munchkin will let me shop a little this time.

Glad you could get away in the city I call home. Isn’t it fun to take in?! And, what a treat that you got at Britex. Those cottons are unbelievably cute! Hope your weekend was the perfe t refresher for you!

Took 7-year-old granddaughter, Lizzie, this summer, we both fell in love with it. The ladies on the 4th floor gave her swatches of glittery fabric. They mailed our purchase back home. If you have them mail it, there’s no tax, so we came out ahead, and there’s no way we could have put all that fabric in our luggage.

We actually came back a second day, and they all said they knew we’d be back! It was a highlight of our vacation. We came home and sewed a book bag for Lizzie’s 3rd grade year. It was cotton with pictures of San Francisco landmarks — Golden Gate, Chinatown, The Haight, etc. We sent Britex a picture of Lizzie and her SF book bag, and they posted it on their website. Fun memories for us!

Your holidays must have been wonderful, Tasia, knowing you had a break at the end! And I’m so glad you love it here in SF. If you or other sewing bloggers want to plan a meet-up next time you’re in town, I’m happy to organize it.

Hi – Oh Britex is heaven. But next time you go visit San Francisco – check out Peapod – for the most incredible printed fabrics and some japanese patterned fabrics – I love that place. Also, Satin Moon – their collection of fabrics are stunning. In the Oakland/Berkeley border there is A Verb for Warm – they carry wonderful organic cottons and Alabama Chanin cotton as well. While in the East Bay – Stone Mountain and Daughter. Back in San Francisco – if you like discount fabrics and like to hunt to see what you find – Fabrix on Clement Street (just a block up from Satin Moon) – I found black wool jersey and am still kicking myself for not buying the entire roll. Also Discount Fabrics in the SOMA district. If you like oil cloth – the best selection is at Mendels on Haight Street.

Love living your trip to SF through you. I have always wanted to visit Britex. I wonder onto their site regularly and I dream of touching these fabulous fabrics. Thanks for all your sharing about your trip to your new hubby. Also, I think I love the eyeglass fabric best. I am thinking of geting it myself, if there is still some left by time I make up my mind. Selecting prints is very difficult for me!